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Birds of Fire
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Binding: Audio CD
EAN: 0074646608128
Format: Original recording remastered
Label: Sony
Manufacturer: Sony
MPN: 66081
Number Of Discs: 1
Publisher: Sony
Release Date: August 08, 2000
Studio: Sony
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Editorial Review:
Thanks to yet another pristine digital remastering from the archivists at Legacy, we are drawn deeper into the creative vortex of John McLaughlin's groundbreaking fusion ensemble, captured at the peak of their powers in August 1972. By this time, Mahavishnu were headliners, and by offering greater bass extension, more air and resolution, and a clearer sense of distinction between the component parts, McLaughlin's collaborators sound clearer in their shaping of the group's overall sound. Clearly, guitarist McLaughlin was the creative lightning rod, as his chanting solo on the title tune suggests, colored as it is by the cathartic melodic fire of late Coltrane and Hendrix. Likewise, his interest in the vocalized scales and extended rhythmic cycles of Indian classical music reveals itself in the round-robin solo exchanges on showstoppers like "Celestial Terrestrial Commuters" and "One Word" and in the more formal designs of "Hope" and "Resolution."
But in Billy Cobham, McLaughlin had found his Elvin Jones. Cobham's ability, with bassist Rick Laird, to focus ferocious energy toward making odd meters groove, and the band's funky, backbeats swing--while playing with an enormous tonal palette and a keen sense of dynamics--balanced the formal and improvisational aspects of each arrangement. Likewise, Jerry Goodman's soaring violin is the ideal vocal foil for an electric guitar, and the woefully underrated electric pianist and synth innovator Jan Hammer clearly helps flesh out the harmonic fabric on every arrangement, such as the funky changes of "Miles Beyond" and the classical airs of "Thousand Island Park." Ultimately, the joy of seeing Mahavishnu live was in sharing their sense of adventure and discovery, and that collective chemistry is what makes this reissue of Birds of Fire so vital. Truly, the sum was greater than the parts--too bad you can't go home again. --Chip Stern
If not for the Mahavishnu Orchestra's first album, The Inner Mounting Flame, this second, 1973 outing might well be considered the greatest of all jazz-fusion essays. Both are staggering calls to celestial coursing and reckoning, and to resolution. All is breathtakingly purposeful and assured, with vast group cohesion, and phenomenal contributions by keyboardist Jan Hammer, violinist Jerry Goodman, bassist Rick Laird, torrential drummer Billy Cobham, and foremost, by the leader, guitarist John McLaughlin. One hears all the elements of his musical makeup: Tal Farlow; Django Reinhart's stunning single-note runs; flamenco guitar; sophisticated Delta blues; way-over-the-top arena-rock distortion, feedback, and power amplification; and Indian classical and folk music. All that, plus childhood lessons in classical piano and violin and recent studies with spiritual leader Sri Chinmoy, set the cosmic stew to boil. -- Peter Monaghan
Customer Reviews
Average Rating: 
Rating:  - Birds of Fire
I got this album because it's Billy Cobham on the set and he's one of the original creators of jazz fusion. I highly recommend this album; how they made this music so amazing in the 70's when we didn't know as much about music is amazing to me.
Rating: - Not My Favorite, But Still Godly
When I think of jazz fusion, this band comes to mind, along with Return To Forever. But while Return To Forever is liquid, serene, and crystal like, The Mahavishnu Orchestra couldn't be stopped if you tried. From the looks of it, these guys could play with fire, and they often seemed like it did. I can't imagine how awesome these guys are live. Bands can be very explosive live, and these guys, I can just tell, would explode if they were dynamite sticks.
Led by the awesome John Mclaughlin, ... Read More
Rating:  - Even MORE Brilliant!
Ground breaking. A must have addition to any Jazz library. A "desert island disk" for sure.
Rating: - Musical Coffee: A Review by the Ignorant, for the Ignorant.
I begin by clarifying my lack of credentials;
-I have no musical training whatsoever; I couldn't tell a whole note from a treble clef (that's pretty bad)!
-I did grow up in a house with musicians. That's why I even know this album exists.
-I learned to appreciate many forms of music even if I don't completely understand them.
-I learned how to "fake" playing the drums; I could play along but not tell you what time signature I was using.
-I know very little about the structure ... Read More
Rating: - Nearly as impressive as their debut (4.5 stars)
Birds of Fire, the second of three albums to feature the original Mahavishnu Orchestra, was released in 1973. Their previous release, The Inner Mounting Flame, pushed the boundaries of the jazz-fusion genre and Birds of Fire would be even more eclectic, adding elements of funk and country to its palette. There are also other subtle differences in the album than that of its predecessor. First off, John McLaughlin's guitar is more in the forefront here than he was on their debut. The changes in mood are more spread ... Read More
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